A simple guide

to smart meters

What is a smart meter and how does it work?

Smart meters are the new generation of gas and electricity meters which replace the old analog meters and they are designed to enable us to measure energy usage within your home.

Smart meters are coupled with an In-Home Display (IHD) which gives you access to a host of information at the touch of a button, allowing you to keep an eye on your energy usage in near real-time.

Smart meters can automatically send meter readings on a monthly, daily or half hourly basis, based on your preferences. This eliminates the annoying task of supplying us your meter readings, meaning you will only pay for the energy you have used and you can accurately monitor your energy consumption.

A simple switch over to smart meters will contribute towards building a smart grid which in turn will help Great Britain move towards a lower carbon economy and eventually achieve net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050.

You can read a lot more about climate change and smart meters on this page by Smart Energy GB.

How do smart meters save me money?

There are several ways smart meters can save you money, we've created a helpful list below.

  • Only pay for what you use - Since smart meters automatically send meter readings to us, we'll be able to provide you with a bill using the exact usage figures rather than depending on estimated meter readings, meaning you only pay for what you use.

  • Real time usage – Alongside your smart meter, we'll also provide you with an In-Home Display (IHD) which will display a near real time view of energy use.

  • Budgeting – Your In-Home Display allows you to set budgets to track against your energy use on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, a valuable reminder to make you more aware of how much energy you've used. Don't worry though; your energy doesn't cut out when you've hit the budget limit.

Other benefits of having a smart meter


  • Greener - Since we won't be visiting you for meter readings anymore, we'll drive less and there will be less greenhouse gas emissions emitted.

  • Smarter Infrastructure - Since we’ll have access to power usage trends, we'll be able respond to demand and make more energy available at peak times of the day.

  • Sustainability - ScottishPower are already committed to producing 100% green electricity and through the installation of smart meters and our energy efficiency advice, you'll be able to work towards a more sustainable future.

Are smart meters free?

Smart meters are provided and installed completely free of charge, there are no extra costs for you to pay during the installation. As with your existing meter you currently pay a very small maintenance charge which is built into your bill, this will be the same for smart meters.

Are smart meters safe?

Yes, smart meters are totally safe. Smart meters use radio waves which allow us to receive meter readings remotely. Evidence gathered through a government study indicates that radio waves produced by smart meters do not pose any health risks and are well below the guidelines set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

The study also concluded that radio waves produced by smart meters are much lower than those produced by devices such as mobile phones and Wi-Fi routers.

What smart meters do ScottishPower use?

ScottishPower use the state of the art SMETS2 smart meters.

What is the difference between SMETS1 and SMETS2?

The main difference between the SMETS1 and SMETS2 meter is that SMETS2 meters are able to switch between credit and prepayment mode. They also work across all energy suppliers without losing smart capabilities.

Are smart meters compulsory?

No, not at all! However, the government requires us to offer you one and we think they are an important step towards a more sustainable and greener future.

How can I get a smart meter?

As a ScottishPower customer, you will be offered a smart meter, or you can get in touch with us and we will be able to arrange a time and date for installation that is convenient for you.